One of the best fantasy TV shows of all time brings together the best elements of the worlds of Roald Dahl and J. R. R. Tolkien, with a twist that no one would see coming. The list of the best TV shows of all time includes various fantasy stories, thanks to this genre being one of the most versatile ones. Fantasy shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Game of Thrones, and Supernatural rank among the best, but there are also great animated fantasy shows.

Some of the most notable animated fantasy TV series are Avatar: The Last Airbender, Gravity Falls, Adventure Time, and The Legend of Vox Machina, all of them with their own complex and fascinating worlds. Joining them is Over the Garden Wall, an animated miniseries created by Patrick McHale and based on his 2013 short film Tome of the Unknown. Over the Garden Wall premiered on Cartoon Network in November 2014 and ran for only 10 episodes.

Over the Garden Wall was a success with critics and general audiences, who praised its animation, tone, fairy-tale style, themes, story, and twist, as well as its combination of whimsical and spooky. Over the Garden Wall brings together the adventure and warmth of Roald Dahl’s stories with the fantasy and darkness of Tolkien’s works, and it’s not surprising that it quickly became one of the best fantasy shows in TV history.

Over the Garden Wall Is A Very Unique Fantasy Show

Over the Garden Wall introduces viewers to Wirt (voiced by Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean), half-brothers who get lost in a mysterious forest called “The Unknown.” Wirt is the eldest brother, who is always worried and prefers to keep to himself, while Greg is more carefree and naïve. To find their way back home, Wirt and Greg have to travel across the forest, with the occasional guidance and help of a wandering elderly Woodsman and an irritable bluebird named Beatrice.

The group is being watched by an ancient creature called the Beast, who misleads lost souls until they lose all hope and willpower, turning them into Edelwood trees. Throughout 10 episodes, Wirt, Greg, and the audience learn more about the mythology of the forest and its dangers, while the brothers also learn about themselves and each other, deepening their bond. Over the Garden Wall, then, is a beautiful blend of dark fairy tale, a coming-of-age story, and complex themes like depression, grief, and identity.

The dark, whimsical style of Over the Garden Wall has made it a must-watch during the autumn season, and its eerie atmosphere perfectly fits the spooky/Halloween season, too. Over the Garden Wall appeals to both children and adults with beautiful animation, relatable characters, and a story with many details, pieces of foreshadowing, and emotional depth.

Why Over the Garden Wall Is One Of The Best Fantasy Shows Of All Time

It’s rare for an animated fantasy show to appeal to a broad audience. Animated shows are usually associated with children and young viewers, and nowadays, there are plenty of cartoon shows aimed at adults. Over the Garden Wall finds a perfect balance between both, with a story that will catch the attention of young viewers and enough depth and complexity to keep mature audiences engaged from beginning to end.

Over the Garden Wall has a perfect balance of creepiness, folk horror, dark fantasy, and lighthearted humor, the latter mostly brought by Wirt and Greg, their dynamic, and Greg’s running gag with his new pet frog. Thanks to its miniseries format, Over the Garden Wall tells a complete story in just 10 episodes, but not without leaving the audience with something to think about right at the end.

Over the Garden Wall is a must-watch for fantasy fans, both children and adults, with incredible voice performances, a perfectly written story, and a unique atmosphere that make this miniseries a true masterpiece.

Release Date

2014 – 2014

Network

Cartoon Network

Directors

Nate Cash

Writers

Bert Youn, Natasha Allegri, Zac Gorman, Jim Campbell, Pendleton Ward, Cole Sanchez, Mark Bodnar, Steve Wolfhard, Vi-Dieu Nguyen, Nick Edwards, Aaron Renier, Laura Park

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  Collin Dean

  Gregory (voice)